Bedding support



Mr W. WESTGARD Aug. 20, 195 7 BEDDING SUPPORT 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 20, 1954 v Fig./

Aug. 20, 1957 M. w. WESTGARD BEDDING SUPPORT 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed D60. 20, 1954 Max W. Wesfgard Y INVEN TOR.

BY mg,

BEDDING SUPPORT Max W. Westgard, "Walla Walla, "W ash. Application December 20, 1954, Serial No; 476,228

2 Claims. (Cl. -319) This invention relates to a bedding support and more specifically provides a-device for the purpose of holding the beddingupoff the feet of a sleeper 'so that "hec'anlie on his back in-comfort.

5 When the bedding, such as the sheet and blanket, sis tightly-tucked under theend of a mattress anda relatively tall person tries to relax in the bed, 'his'fee't extend to the very bottom or end of the bed, and he 'finds it virtually impossible to lie on his back unless his feet are twisted so that they are lying substantiallly on the sides. In this condition, it is usually easier to lie on ones side, in which position, one is not completely .relaxed as the side ,xposition puts unnecessary pressure or weight of the body on the arm and shoulder and hinders the normal circulation of blood. This results 'in lack of complete relaxation and rest wherein a person will wake up in a relatively tired condition. Accordingly, it is the primary object of the present invention to provide a blanket support which will engage and'sup'port the bedding adjacent the foot of the bed so that a person sleeping in the bed will be able to relax when lying on his back with his feet Uniwd S ates Patent in "substantially a vertical position without the bedding contacting the feet and causing uncomfortable fpressur'es thereon.

Another object of the .present invention is to provide a blanket support that "is substantially concealed under the mattress and is provided with a detachable upstanding portion for engaging the blanket which may be removed when desired.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a blanket support which may be positioned on either side of the bed and which may be adjusted longitudinally thereof to accommodate persons of varying degrees of tallness wherein the device for supporting the blanket of one sleeper does not affect the other sleeper.

Still another important object of the present invention is to provide a blanket support which may be utilized in the treatment of patients having injuries to the extremities of the body so that the blanket may be supported in spaced relation to said extremities for providing complete rest and relaxation of the patient.

Other important objects of the present invention will reside in its simplicity of construction, ease of operation, ease of sterilization and cleaning, its adaptation for its purposes and its relatively inexpensive manufacture.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure l is a perspective view showing a bed with the blanket support of the present invention positioned therein with portions of the blanket being broken away to show the relationship of the blanket support;

Figure 2 is a perspective View showing the frame of the blanket support of the present invention with the upstanding member removed therefrom;

2,803,021 Patented Aug. 20, 1957 Figure3 is a perspective'view showing the blanket support of the present invention;

Figure 4 is a transverse, vertical sectional view taken substantially upon a plane passing along section line 44 of Figure 3 showing the details of construction of the polygonal socket and the means of attaching the upstanding member thereto; and

Figure 5 is a detailed group perspective view showing the projecting finger on the frame of the blanket support together with the polygonal socket with a portion of the socketbeing broken away showing th'e'details of construction thereof and the manner in which it is telescopically connected to theprojecting finger.

Referring now specifically to the drawings, it will be seen that the numeral 1'!) generally designates th'e blanket support of the present invention for positioning between the mattress 12 and the springs 14 of a bedgenerally designated by the numeral 15. The bed 16 includes supporting legs 18 and a supporting frame 20 which engages and supports the springs 14. The bed 16'is provided with the usual pillows 22 and headboard 24 together with bedding 26, such asa blanket or sheet 'or both. Normally, the bedding, in the form'of a blanket 26 is tucked tightly under the mattress 12 and is disposed between the mattress 12 and the springs 14 for retaining the bedding 26 in neat condition. As illustrated in Figure -1, the blanket support *10 of the present invention is provided with a portion extending between the mattress 12 and "the springs '14 and an upstanding portion forming bulges or supported portions 23 in the bedding 26 which space t-h'e bedding 26 from the mattress 12, thereby permitting a persons feet to be disposed in vertical relation on the mattress 12.

:Referring now specifically to Figures 3 5 of'the drawings, it will be seen that the numeral 30 generally "indicates a framework formed from a continuous member whichincludes side members 32 and 34 and end inc-1nbers 36 and 38 wherein the end member 38 ter r'ninates'i-n an extending portion 40 which is parallel to and 'in engage'r'ne'rit with the side member 34. The side member 34 projects outwardly from the end 38as a eo'ntinuation of the side rnember 34 in a polygonal projecting finger 42 having a shoulder 46 adjacent the end of the prdjectioh 40 on the member 38.

Detachably secured to the frame 30 is an upstanding member generally designated by the numeral 48 and including a vertical portion 50 and a horizontal portion 52 joined together by an intermediate inclined portion 54. The horizontal portion 52 terminates in a looped end 56 and the vertical portion 50 terminates in a short inturned end portion 58 that is rigidly secured within one end of a polygonal tubular socket 60 by suitable fastening means, such as welding 62. The tubular socket 60 extends horizontally from the projecting end portion 58 for telescopically receiving over the horizontal projecting pin 42 which projects from the side member 34 of the frame 30 wherein the upstanding member 48 is detachably secured to the frame 30 by the socket 60 engaging the projecting finger 42 wherein the upper horizontal portion 52 is spaced in substantially parallel relation to the frame 30 and in coextensive relation to the side member 34. By providing the projecting finger 42 adjacent the corner of the frame 30, the relative position of the upstanding member 48 may be adjusted in relation to the end of the mattress 12, thereby supporting the bedding 26 at longitudinally spaced and adjusted points.

In practical operation, the frame 30 is inserted under the mattress 12 with the projecting finger 42 either disposed adjacent the bottom end of the mattress 12 or in spaced relation thereto depending upon the particular needs of the persons using the bed 16. The bed may be made up without the use of the upstanding member 48 wherein the bed will be retained in a neat and flat condition. In lieu thereof, the upstanding member 48mayv be attached to the projecting finger 42 by the tubular polygonal socket 60 thereby supporting the horizontal portion 52 in spaced parallel relation to the frame 30 for sup-'- porting the bedding 26 in spaced relation to the mattress 12 for providing clearance for a persons feet using the bed 16. In the unitary construction of the frame member 30 and the upstanding member 48, the device will be easily cleaned and sterilized so that it may be used in conjunction with patients, such as in a hospital or the like, wherein the patients have injuries to the extremities, such as the hands, legs, feet or arms, and it is necessary that they completely relax without contact of the bedding 26 with the injured portions of the body. Also, the blanket support of the present invention may be utilized on both sides of the bed, as illustrated in Figure l, for accommodating persons of different heights, wherein one blanket support 10 will not aifect the operation of the other blanket support 10. The loop 56 on the end of the horizontal portion 52 eliminates the tendency of the upstanding member 48 to snag the bedding 26 Also, two identical blanket supports 10 may be positioned directly opposite one another on the bed 16 and a flexible line may be passed between the loops 56 wherein the entire blanket or bedding 26 adjacent the bottom of the mattress 12 will be supported in spaced parallel relation for providing clearance to the feet or extremities of a person utilizing the bed 16.

The bedding support may be utilized around any portion of the body for supporting the bedding in spaced relation to the body for relieving pressure to the body and permitting complete rest and relaxation to the person reclining in the bed. Also, the bedding support may be used around the patients head for forming an inhalator tent or the like. It is noted that the present invention is alternatively called a blanket and bedding support which, for the purposes of description, are considered synonymous.

From the foregoing, the construction and operation of the device will be readily understood and further explana tion is believed to be unnecessary. However, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A blanket support comprising a frame adapted to be inserted under the mattress of a bed in completely concealed relation, an upstanding member detachably secured to said frame and extending upwardly along the edge of the mattress, said upstanding member terminating in a horizontal portion for engaging and supporting a. blanket in spaced relation to the mattress, said frame being constructed of a continuous member forming a skeletonized polygonal frame, with one end of said continuous member terminating in a projecting finger for detachably supporting said upstanding member, said projecting finger being polygonal in cross-section, saidupstanding member having a polygonal socket on the lower end thereof for telescopic attachment to the projecting finger, said projecting finger and socket being horizontally disposed thereby completely concealing the frame when the upstanding member is removed.

2. A blanket support comprising a frame adapted to be inserted under the mattress of a bed, an upstanding member detachably secured to said frame and extending upwardly along the edge of the mattress, said upstanding member terminating in a horizontal portion for engaging and supporting a blanket in spaced relation to the mattress, said frame being constructed of a continuous member forming a skeletonized polygonal frame, with one end of said continuous member terminating in a horizontally projecting finger for detachably supporting said upstand ingvmember, said projecting finger being polygonal in cross-section, said upstanding member having a horizontal polygonal socket on the lower end thereof for telescopic attachment over the projecting finger, said projecting finger being disposed at one corner of said frame for positioning the upstanding member at longitudinally adjusted positions along the mattress by inverting the frame. F

, References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,209,801 Valverde July 30, 1940 2,555,228 Evers May 29, 1951 2,712,137 Hunter July 5, 1955 FOREIGN PATENTS 4,097 Great Britain, Feb. 24, 1908 

